Can cover and sealer

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed to a cover and sealing member primarily for use on cans adapted to contain carbonated beverages or drinks which will go flat once the can has been opened. The cover and sealer comprises a member having spaced apart depending skirt portions to define a circumferentially extending channel with means for frictionally receiving therein the projecting lip portion of the can in sealing relationship therebetween. The cover member is specifically formed to prohibit loss of gas when placed over an opened can wherein the pressure of the gas is utilized to enhance the sealing characteristics of the cover.

United StatesPatent' 2,857,947 10/1958 Powers 220/42 C 3,372,832 3/1968Yeater et a1. 220/29 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,489,742 6/1967 France l. 220/60Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Attorney-Arthur T. Fattibene ABSTRACT:This disclosure is directed to a cover and sealing member primarily foruse on cans adapted to contain carbonated beverages or drinks which willgo flat once the can has been opened. The cover and sealer comprises amember having spaced apart depending skirt portions to define acircumferentially extending channel with means for frictionallyreceiving therein the projecting lip portion of the can in sealingrelationship therebetween. The cover member is specifically formed toprohibit loss of gas when placed over an opened can wherein the pressureof the gas is utilized to enhance the sealing characteristics of thecover.

' PATENTEDSEPMISTI "SHE'EIIUFB I I G 0 6 FIG. 4.

INVENTOR. HERMAN WINNICK ATTORNEY PATENTEUSEPMISYI I sum 2 [IF 3 INVENTQHE RMA N WlNNlCK FIG 9 A TORNEY PATENTEU SEP1 419m SHEET 3 [IF 3 F IG.I4

INVENTLOR.

HERMAN WINNICK ATTOR NEY CAN COVER AND SEALER PROBLEM IN THE ART Manydifferent kinds of products such as soda, beer, drinks of various kindsand the. like are currently packaged in cans which generally have acircumscribing wall having a top connected thereto by a beaded edge orlip. Such cans are also provided with pull tab-type openers tofacilitate the opening of the can without the usual can opener. When forexample carbonated drinks or beer are sold in such cans it was necessarythat the entire contents of the can had to be used because it wasgenerally impossible to store or keep the contents from going flat oncethe can had been opened. For these reasons much of the canned carbonateddrinks and the like would quickly spoil or go fiat unless promptlyconsumed. This was because there is not known a satisfactory manner toprohibit gas loss from the drink or beverage stored in an opened can.

OBJECTS It is an object of this invention to provide a cover and sealingmember for use as a can cover for opened cans of carbonated beveragesand the like to prohibit the loss of gas therefrom thereby permittingopen carbonated beverage cans to be stored for a considerable period oftime without the contents thereof going flat.

Another object is to provide a sealing can cover for carbonated beveragecans and the like in which the gas pressure of the fluid contents isutilized to enhance the sealing characteristics of the cover.

Another object is to provide a sealing can cover adapted tosatisfactorily seal cans of conventional construction.

Another object is to provide a sealing can cover which can be readilyformed as an integral molded member of suitable material, e. g. plastic.

Another object is to provide a sealing can cover which is relativelysimple in construction, inexpensive to make, and which is positive inoperation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION The foregoing objects and other features andadvantages are attained by a cover member having a top portion adaptedto conform in shape to can tops of cans containing a beverage, e.g. sodaor beer or other fluid. The top portion of the cover is provided with apair of spaced-apart circumscribing skirt means to define therebetween achannel for receiving therein the raised beaded or lip portion of a canwhich normally extends above the can top. In position the inner skirtmeans is disposed contiguous to the inner surface ofthe bead. A sealingbead is formed on one of the skirt means to define a circumscribing sealabout the wall of the can. With the can cover fitted to the can by thefrictional engagement of the bead in the channel thus defined, the gaspressure of the contents of an opened can thus exerts a pressure on theinner skirt means so as to enhance the sealing effect of the frictionalengagement of the can head or wall between the skirted means.

In one of the embodiments a holding nipple is provided to further resistthe forces exerted by the gas pressure which may tend to lift the coveroff the can.

Also means in the form of reinforcing ridges or webs are provided tostrengthen the cover top.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top plan view of a cover embodying theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation sectional view taken along line 2 2 on FIG. 1illustrating the cover in operative position on a can top.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cover of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exaggerated sectional view taken along line 4-4 inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a can top having a pull-type spout opening.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another modified form of coverconstruction.

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of the cover of FIG. 7 taken along line8--8 thereon illustrated in position on a can top.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the cover construction of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged exaggerated detailed sectional view taken alongline 10-10 on FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.

1 1 illustrating the cover in position on a can top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, there is shown therein acover construction which is adapted to be utilized in conjunction withcanned beverages, for example, carbonated drinks, soda, beer or othergassy products packaged, distributed and sold in cans. The conventionalcan constructions in which such products are packaged and distributedgenerally consist of a container 20 having an upright circumscribingwall 20A which is closed by a top 21. Generally the top 21 is secured tothe circumscribing walls 20A by crimping or turning the circum ferentialend portion of the top 21 with the end portion of walls 20A to form ahead or lip 22 which extends beyond the top 21 of the can 20. Such cansare commonly referred to as beaded cans. To dispense the liquidcontents, the cans 20 are generally punctured in the top 21 to define aspout opening. Such punctures are generally accomplished by a suitablecan opener. Some cans 23 may be constructed so as to be opened without acan opener. As seen in FIG. 5 these constructions 23 are provided with aprescored portion 23A to define a spout. Such cans 23 are opened bypulling on a pull tab 24 which is operatively connected to the top by arivet 25. Where such cans 23 are opened, the rivet securing the pull tabis pulled out of the can leaving a small opening therein as seen in FIG.6 at 26.

When can 20 or 23 contains a carbonated drink or beverage, it washeretofore necessary that such contents be completely consumed asstorage thereof within the open can was not practical. This was becausethe gases would tend to escape from the open can thereby rendering anyremaining portion to become flat. Accordingly, any unused carbonatedbeverage which was permitted to stand in an open can soon Went flat dueto the escape of the gas therefrom. This invention is particularlydirected to a cover and sealer for use with such cans so as to permitthe storage of the unused portions of such carbonated drinks and/orgassy fluids for a considerable period of time.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cover and sealing construction 27 comprises amember which is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the canadapted to be utilized therewith. As shown the cover 27 is provided withan imperforated top portion 27A which has connected thereto a pair ofspaced-apart circumscribing skirt means 28, 29 which definestherebetween a circumscribing channel 30 therebetween. As best seen inFIG. 4, the inner skirt means 28 is made slightly shorter than the outerskirt means 29. There spacing or channel 30 between the spacedcircumscribing skirt means 28, 29 is formed with a width sufficient tosnugly receive the projected lip or bead 22 of a conventional can 20.

A sealing means in the form of a circumscribing head 31 is connected tothe inner surface of the outer skirt 29. The head 31 extends inwardly ofthe channel 30.

When the cover 27 is thus fitted to the end of the can 20, the extendedor projected bead portion 22 of the can is received between the skirtmeans 28, 29 and the sealing bead 31 is disposed in sealing relationshipto the extended portion of the can. 1

The cover described is preferably formed of a resilient material, as forexample, a suitable plastic such as polystyrene or the like in which thecover 27 can be frictionally secured to the projecting beaded portion 22of the can.

As best seen in FIG. 2, it will be noted that the top portion 27A of thecover 27, when positioned on the end ofthe can, is spaced above the top21 of the can a distance approximately equal to the height of the innerskirt 28. Preferrably the inner skirt 28 is slightly spaced above thetop 21 of the can. The cover 27 is formed so that it will frictionallyengage the projecting of the can with a force of to pounds so as toresist the gas pressures tending to act against the cover means as willbe hereinafter described.

Whenever the top 21 of the can is punctured to dispense the gasifiedfluid content thereof, the remaining portion can be readily stored andkept in an effervescent state simply by frictionally securing the capconstruction 27 described to the opened end of the can as indicated inFIGS. 2 and 4. Any tendency of the gas from the remaining portion toescape through the can opening 32 will become contained in the space 33defined between the top 27A of the cover member 27 and the can top 21.Consequently the gas pressure which tends to build up in space 33 willexert a force on the inner surface of the inner skirt 28, therebycausing the frictional holding force of the cover 27 to the can to beincreased by the amount of gas pressure being built up in the space 33between the cover and the can. The internal gas pressure of the fluidcontent is then utilized to enhance the sealing characteristics of thecover hereinbefore described. The bead 31 effectively seals the gaspressure within the can. With the cover described it has been discoveredthat the contents of the unused portion of carbonated drinks and thelike stored in such cans can be readily stored for an extended period oftime without losing its effervescence or carbonation. If desired a lifttab 34 may be formed integral to the cover to facilitate removal of thecover 27 from the can 20.

A modified form of cover construction 40 is illustrated in FIG. 6. Thecover construction of FIG. 6 is identical to that described with respectto FIGS. 1 through 4 with the exception that a centrally located nipple41 is dependently connected to the under surface of the top portion 40Aof the cover 40. As best seen in FIG. 6 the nipple 41 is provided with abarbed head construction or a conical head construction 41A which isadapted to be received in the rivet opening 26 of a can 23. As seen inFIG. 6, the base of the conical nipple head 41A has a diameter which isslightly greater than the diameter of the rivet opening 26 adapted toreceive it. Because nipple head 41A is formed of a resilient material itcan be readily force fitted or inserted into the opening 26, and wheninserted the barbed head 41A of the nipple 41 tends to increase theholding force of the cover 40 onto the end of the can. In this mannerthe cover 40 of FIG. 6 can resist a greater build up of gas pressures inthe space 33 defined between the can top 21A and the cover 40. Thus withthe construction of FIG. 6, a more positive holding action is afforded.In all other respects the operation and construction of the cover 40 ofthe modified form of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 6 is similarto that described with respect to FIGS. 1 through 4.

FIGS. 7 through 10 illustrate still another modified form of theinvention. In the invention illustrated by FIGS. 7 through 10 theclosure member 45 comprises a top which is provided with a centralrecessed portion 46 as indicated in FIG. 8. The cover member 45 is alsoprovided with a spaced-apart inner and outer depending skirt means 47,48 which are integrally connected to the top portion 46. As shown, theouter skirt 47 is rendered slightly longer than the inner skirt 48,similar to that described with respect to FIGS. I through 4. Also thatthe outer skirt 47 is provided with a circumscribing bead 49 extendinginwardly of the channel 50 defined thereby so as to form a sealing ringabout the end of the can when the cover is positioned thereon as seen inFIGS. 8 through it).

In this form of the invention an inverted circumscribing V- shaped ridge51 integrally connects the recessed portion 46 of the cover to the innerskirt 48. With the cover construction 45 fitted to the end of a can 20or 23, the spacing 33A between the top of the can 21 and the centralrecessed portion 46 of the cover means is somewhat reduced as comparedto that of FIG. 2. The utilization of the inverted ridge 51, connectingthe recessed portion 46 of the cover 45 to the inner skirt means,provides the cover with sufficient flexibility to frictionally engagethe bead of the can. The inner skirt portion 48 can be further urgedinto engagement with the lip or bead portion 22 of the can as the gaspressure tends to build up in the space 33A between the cover and thecan. With the construction of FIG. 8 the spacing between the top 46 ofthe cover 45 and the can can be minimized by the extent of recess. Alsothe inner skirt 48 is provided the necessary flexibility for being urgedinto contiguous relationship with the inner bead portion of the can inthe operative position thereof to further enhance the sealingcharacteristics of the cover with the beaded portion of the can. Thesealing head 41 insures positive sealing and/or escape of the gaspressures.

FIGS. 11 through 14 illustrate still another modified form of theinvention. In this form of the invention the cover member comprises atop portion 61 which is recessed and the recessed wall 61 defines theinner skirt portion of the cover member 60. The outer skirt portion 62is connected to the raised portion 63 of the cover member so as todefine the channel 64 for receiving the beaded end 22 of the can 20 or23. The outer skirt portion 62 intermediate the height thereof isprovided with an inwardly extending bead 65 to define the seal with theend of the can adapted to be received within the channel 64 defined byskirt portions 61A and 62 of the cover. To reinforce the cover 60 aseries of circumscribing spaced webs 66 brace the recessed wall 61A orinner skirt of the cover.

In this form of the invention the beaded end 22 of the can 20 or 23 isreceived in the channel 64 defined thereby, and the sealing is effectedby the sealing created by the sealing bead 65 with the circumferentialwall of the can 20.

Each of the respective embodiments are provided with a laterallyprojecting lifting tab 34 integrally formed to a circumferential portionof the outer skirt as shown in FIG. 1, and which tab is utilized tofacilitate the removal of the cover member from the top of the can, whenit is desired to dispense the unused contents.

In the various forms described and illustrated, the respective closure27, 40, 45 and 60 positively seals the upper end or open end of the canin a manner so as to prohibit the escape of the carbonation or gassesfrom the fluid contents of an open can so as to prevent such unusedportion from becoming flat.

It has been discovered that the cap or cover constructed as describedherein can satisfactorily seal the can against the escape of gasses,thereby permitting such unused portions to be stored for a considerableperiod of time. Consequently the cover portion minimizes the amount ofwaste heretofore encountered in carbonated or effervescent products ofthe type distributed in cans.

While the instant invention has been described with respect to severalembodiments thereof it will be readily appreciated and understood thatvariations and modifications may be formed without departing from thespirit or scope of the in vention.

I claim:

I. A cover and sealer for a can having an upright circumscribing endwall and a conventional top extended therebetween, comprising a memberhaving a top adapted to form a cover for said can when said can top hasbeen opened,

said member having a pair of spaced-apart dependent skirt means forminga sealing channel therebetween circumscribing the top of said member,and

said channel being adapted to receive in sealing relationship the upperend portion of said can,

one of said skirt means comprises an outermost skirt, a sealing beadprojecting inwardly of said channel defined 0y IOIOOI 0449 said skirtmeans to engage the upright wall portion of the can disposed betweensaid skirt means,

said top of said member being recessed so that the central portionthereof is disposed intermediate the height of said skirt means,

and including means including a circumscribing ridge extending about therecessed central portion of the top of said member,

said ridge joining said recessed portion to the inner skirt means ofsaid member.

2. A cover and sealer for a can having an upright circumscribing endwall and a conventional top extended therebetween, comprising a memberhaving a top adapted to form a cover for said can when said can top hasbeen opened,

said member having a pair of spaced-apart dependent skirt means forminga sealing channel therebetween circumscribing the top of said member,and

said channel being adapted to receive in sealing relationship the upperend portion of said can,

one of said skirt means comprises an outermost skirt, a sealing beadprojecting inwardly of said channel defined by said skirt means toengage the upright wall portion of the can disposed between said skirtmeans,

said top of said member being recessed so that the central portionthereof is disposed intermediate the height of said skirt means, andincluding a plurality of circumferentially spaced webs for reinforcingthe recessed portion of said top to the inner skirt means.

3. In combination with a can having an upright circumscribing end walland a connected can top extending therebetween wherein said upright endwalls extend beyond said can top to define a circumscribing lip aboutsaid can top, and said can being adapted to contain gassy fluid, theimprovement of a sealing cover to seal an opening formed in said can topcomprising a cover member having an imperforated top portion conformingsubstantially to the shape of said can top,

a pair of spaced-apart defining skirt means connected to saidimperforated top portion,

said skirt means defining an outer skirt and a spaced inner skirtforming a channel therebetween circumscribing the periphery of saidimperforated top portion,

said channel being adapted to receive the circumscribing lip of said canwhen the cover member is fitted thereto, means defining a sealing beadformed on one of said skirt means, said sealing bead extending inwardlyof and circumscribing said channel to bear against the lip of said canreceived within said channel to define therewith a gastight seal,

and said inner skirt means being disposed contiguous to the innersurface of said circumscribing lip.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 and including a means defining anipple depending from the top portion of said cover member, I

said nipple having a barbedlike head portion adapted to be received inan aperture formed in said can top,

said barbed head having dimensions slightly greater than the apertureadapted to receive the same whereby said barbed nipple will tend toresist the forces acting on said cover member tending to lift said coveroff the can top.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said outer skirt means islonger than the inner skirt means,

and said sealing bead is connected to the inner surface of said outerskirt means intermediate the height thereof.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 and including a lift tab formedintegral with and projecting laterally outwardly of said outer skirtmeans.

7. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein the width of said channelis sized so that the lip of the can is frictionally received between thecircumscribing skirt means defining said channel.

8. The invention as defined in claim 3 and including reinforcing meansfor strengthening the top portion of said cover member.

1. A cover and sealer for a can having an upright circumscribing endwall and a conventional top extended therebetween, comprising a memberhaving a top adapted to form a cover for said can when said can top hasbeen opened, said member having a pair of spaced-apart dependent skirtmeans forming a sealing channel therebetween circumscribing the top ofsaid member, and said channel being adapted to receive in sealingrelationship the upper end portion of said can, one of said skirt meanscomprises an outermost skirt, a sealing bead projecting inwardly of saidchannel defined by said skirt means to engage the upright wall portionof the can disposed between said skirt means, said top of said memberbeing recessed so that the central portion thereof is disposedintermediate the height of said skirt means, and including meansincluding a circumscribing ridge extending about the recessed centralportion of the top of said member, said ridge joining said recessedportion to the inner skirt means of said member.
 2. A cover and sealerfor a can having an upright circumscribing end wall and a conventionaltop extended therebetween, comprising a member having a top adapted toform a cover for said can when said can top has been opened, said memberhaving a pair of spaced-apart dependent skirt means forming a sealingchannel therebetween circumscribing the top of said member, and saidchannel being adapted to receive in sealing relationship the upper endportion of said can, one of said skirt means comprises an outermostskirt, a sealing bead projecting inwardly of said channel defined bysaid skirt means to engage the upright wall portion of the can disposedbetween said skirt means, said top of said member being recessed so thatthe central portion thereof is disposed intermediate the height of saidskirt means, and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced websfor reinforcing the recessed portion of said top to the inner skirtmeans.
 3. In combination with a can having an upright circumscribing endwall and a connected can top extending therebetween wherein said uprightend walls extend beyond said can top to define a circumscribing lipabout said can top, and said can being adapted to contain gassy fluid,the improvement of a sealing cover to seal an opening formed in said cantop comprising a cover member having an imperforated top portionconforming substantially to the shape of said can top, a pair ofspaced-apart defining skirt means connected to said imperforated topportion, said skirt means defining an outer skirt and a spaced innerskirt forming a channel therebetween circumscribing the periphery ofsaid imperforated top portion, said channel being adapted to receive thecircumscribing lip of said can when the cover member is fitted thereto,means defining a sealing bead formed on one of said skirt means, saidsealing bead extending inwardly of and circumscribing said channel tobear against the lip of said can received within said channel to definetherewith a gastight seal, and said inner skirt means being disposedcontiguous to the inner surface of said circumscribing lip.
 4. Theinvention as defined in claim 3 and including a means defining a nippledepending from the top portion of said cover member, said nipple havinga barbedlIke head portion adapted to be received in an aperture formedin said can top, said barbed head having dimensions slightly greaterthan the aperture adapted to receive the same whereby said barbed nipplewill tend to resist the forces acting on said cover member tending tolift said cover off the can top.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 3wherein said outer skirt means is longer than the inner skirt means, andsaid sealing bead is connected to the inner surface of said outer skirtmeans intermediate the height thereof.
 6. The invention as defined inclaim 5 and including a lift tab formed integral with and projectinglaterally outwardly of said outer skirt means.
 7. The invention asdefined in claim 3 wherein the width of said channel is sized so thatthe lip of the can is frictionally received between the circumscribingskirt means defining said channel.
 8. The invention as defined in claim3 and including reinforcing means for strengthening the top portion ofsaid cover member.